BUTLER TWP — The plan for a 112-house Highfield Trails subdivision in the township won’t move forward after the Butler Township commissioners decided Monday to reject it in favor of a 100-house plan at the corner of South Duffy and Highfield roads.

In December, the county Common Pleas court upheld the township Zoning Hearing Board’s decision to deny the Highfield’s 112-house plan because it did not comply with density guidelines. Zoning officer Jesse Hines said at Monday’s meeting that the developer, Great Living LLC, did not file another appeal for the 112-house plan.

Great Living later submitted a 100-unit plan for the 39.17-acre development to the township.

“Highfield trails 112 was the initial plan that was submitted and it didn't comply with density,” Hines said. “While that was in the appeal process, they filed a second application for Highfield Trails 100, which complied with density. So, that plan was considered, it was approved while they appealed the 112.”

The commissioners approved Monday a 90-day extension for the 100-unit Highfield Trails development. This is the second 90-day extension the township granted to the developer before it begins building, which Hines said is a good time period.

“They basically just have a couple loose ends, completing a developer's agreement, posting a bond to move forward with Highfield trails 100,” he said. “I would anticipate this will be their last one; 90 days is going to be the beginning of the building season for 2022, and I would think they would want to build.”

Township solicitor Rebecca Black also said at Monday’s meeting that the commissioners’ denial of the 112-unit plan is because of considerations separate from the legal proceedings the developer undertook in the past several months.

“This plan went before the planning commission and the planning commission did recommend denial way back,” she said. “The basis for the denial was that it didn't comply with the density requirements.”

Hines said the developer has not set a definite date to start construction, but it could start in the spring, based on the 90-day extension.

“I can say this will be the last extension I would want for them,” he said.